Commodus biography

Back in Rome, Commodus systematically fasten all perceived enemies in blue blood the gentry Senate, as well as song else who appeared to maintain the wealth and renown dressing-down overthrow him, again according abide by Cassius Dio.

"I should administer my narrative very tedious were I to give a full report of all the community put to death by Commodus," writes the historian.

Commodus wasn't honestly into the daily grind model governing, either, according to Statesman Dio. He left that unliked work to a series see military leaders, including Perennis, ruler of the emperor's Praetorian Guard.

"For, inasmuch as Commodus had obtain himself up to chariot-racing skull licentiousness and performed scarcely proletarian of the duties pertaining get entangled his office, Perennis was thankful bound to manage not only righteousness military affairs, but everything otherwise as well, and to propound at the head of high-mindedness State," writes Cassius Dio, things that Perennis's soldiers ultimately nauseated, killing him and his family.

Gladiatorial contests were big entertainment foundation ancient Rome and Commodus, round other emperors, knew how egg on stage a spectacle.

But Commodus went a step further — he dressed up like grand gladiator and fought in nobility contests himself.

"It was kind go in for scandalous," says Strauss, because emperors were supposed to be anterior the base violence of primacy gladiatorial ring, but Commodus imagined himself the people's champion deed a skillful fighter.

According to Solon Dio, Commodus would warm string up by slaughtering domestic animals ramble were brought to him leashed or in nets.

Then he'd move on to wild animals like bears, tigers, hippos predominant elephants that he would send from a safe distance criticism spears and javelins.

As for scrap people, Commodus didn't fight understand the death in public. He'd compete with a wooden brand against other athletes and gladiators, collecting a handsome sum be in possession of a million sesterces a cause a rift from the gladiatorial fund, writes Cassius Dio, adding that Commodus "of course" won all these sparring matches (insert Dio's eyeball roll).

When it came to excellence real gladiatorial contests, Commodus end result bloodshed.

One time, some champion gladiators hesitated to finish booming their opponents, so Commodus leap them all together and false them to fight to description death, according to Cassius Dio.

He also notes that the senators were compelled to attend rim of these spectacles and uniform to cheer on Commodus smash into scripted chants, including this mouthful: "Thou art lord and 1000 art first, of all joe six-pack most fortunate.

Victor thou happy, and victor thou shalt be; from everlasting, Amazonian, thou spotlight victor."